Good Shepherd Program

Living Word’s Good Shepherd Program is designed to help reduce the risk of abuse or injury to infants, children, youth, and vulnerable/older adults who participate in our programs.  We strongly believe that we must strive to protect children, youth, and vulnerable/older adults from all forms of maltreatment, so this program tries to be as comprehensive as possible.  All persons desiring to volunteer in programs with children, youth, or vulnerable/older adults must be Good Shepherd certified in order to participate.

The Good Shepherd Rapid Response Book addresses the mandatory response to four categories of emergency situations that may arise in spite of our best efforts to keep children, youth, and vulnerable/older adults safe through the Good Shepherd Program:  Imminent Danger (Fire, Tornado, Intruder), Physical Injury, Lost or Missing Children, and Reported or Observed Abuse.

The full Good Shepherd Policy (in PDF format) is available for review here.

Instructions for First-Time Good Shepherd Applicants
1.  Go through the Power Point Presentation (click here) for self-training.  The presentation gives you all the guidance you need to complete your training.
2.  Print and complete the Training Quiz (click here).  The quiz is designed to ensure that you have self-trained through the PowerPoint presentation.  You may consult the presentation as you complete the quiz.  All answers are provided in the Power Point presentation.
2.  Print and fill out Form #2 (click here) – your Application for Good Shepherd
3.  Print and fill out Form #3 (click here) – your Authorization to Perform Background Check
4.  Print three copies of Form #4 (click here), and give to the three references you have listed on Form #2 for them to return to Living Word following the instructions on the form.
5.  If you ever plan to serve as a driver, print and fill out Form #5 (click here) – the Auto Safety Certification.  Also copy your driver’s license and insurance card to submit with this form.
6.  If you anticipate serving in the nursery or preschool, print and sign Form #6 (click here) – the Guidelines for Nursery/Preschool Workers
7.  If you anticipate serving with children through 5th grade, print and sign Form #7 (click here) – the Guidelines for Workers with Children
8.  If you anticipate serving with youth 6th through 12th grade, print and sign Form #8 (click here) – the Guidelines for Workers with Youth
9.  If you anticipate serving with vulnerable/older adults, print and sign Form #9 (click here) – the Guidelines for Workers with Vulnerable/Older Adults
10.  Review the Rapid Response Guidebook (click here) to familiarize yourself with emergency procedures.
11.  Submit all paperwork to Cindy Brown, Administrative Assistant for Age-Level Ministries.  You will be notified and receive a Good Shepherd nametag when your certification is complete.

Instructions for Good Shepherd Re-certification
1.  Good Shepherd certification expires on January 1 of the year following the 3-year anniversary of initial certification, and every 3 years thereafter.  You will be notified by Living Word when you need to be re-certified.
2.  Go through the Power Point Presentation (click here) for self-training.  The presentation gives you all the guidance you need to complete your training.
3.  Print and complete the Training Quiz (click here).  The quiz is designed to ensure that you have self-trained through the PowerPoint presentation.  You may consult the presentation as you complete the quiz.  All answers are provided in the Power Point presentation.
4.  Print and fill out Form #3 (click here) – your Authorization to Perform Background Check
5.  If you ever plan to serve as a driver, print and fill out Form #5 (click here) – the Auto Safety Certification.  Also copy your driver’s license and insurance card to submit with this form.
6.  If you anticipate serving in the nursery or preschool, print and sign Form #6 (click here) – the Guidelines for Nursery/Preschool Workers
7.  If you anticipate serving with children through 5th grade, print and sign Form #7 (click here) – the Guidelines for Workers with Children
8.  If you anticipate serving with youth 6th through 12th grade, print and sign Form #8 (click here) – the Guidelines for Workers with Youth
9.  If you anticipate serving with vulnerable/older adults, print and sign Form #9 (click here) – the Guidelines for Workers with Vulnerable/Older Adults
10.  Review the Rapid Response Guidebook (click here) to familiarize yourself with emergency procedures.
11.  Submit all paperwork to Cindy Brown, Administrative Assistant for Age-Level Ministries.  You will be notified and receive an updated Good Shepherd nametag when your certification is complete.